BMW i8 spied in Dubai

A BMW i8 prototype goes to Dubai for some exotic testing. The folks over at crankandpiston spotted an i8 test mule at AGMC BMW showroom …

A BMW i8 prototype goes to Dubai for some exotic testing.

The folks over at crankandpiston spotted an i8 test mule at AGMC BMW showroom in Dubai.

The lightweight i8 goes on sale in 2014 and weighs 1450 kilograms, thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber design elements and cockpit. The hybrid sportscar is powered by a 170 horsepower electric motor that drives the front-wheels, coupled with a 1.5 liter 3-cylidner turbocharged petrol engine producing another 223 horsepower.

BMW’s i8 sportscar can go from a front-wheel drive vehicle to a rear-wheel drive one, and even an all-wheel drive setup. In full electric mode, the BMW i8 can travel up to 20 miles. Engaging the 393 ponies will catapult the i8 from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds, a figure comparable to the naturally-aspirated-powered M3.

In the European driving cycle, the BMW i8 is expected to average nearly 80 mpg.

BMW aims to build 10,000 units every year with a base price over 100,000 euros, or around $150,000 in the United States.